Cultivating a Positive Mental Outlook

I woke up this morning and was in grump mode. The Boo knew it, I knew it, hell, even the dogs knew it (and were a little offended by it.)

So after wallowing in my funk for a few, I gulped down my coffee, put on my sweet new running shoes, grabbed the iPod and set off for the park.

The ride alone was stress relieving. Windows down, breeze blowing in my flustered face, new favorite Katy Perry song blaring on the radio. (If that song doesn’t make you want to sing-a-long at the top of your lungs and dance around in your underwear then you have no soul. Or something like that.)



I set my iPod to shuffle and set off on my run, somewhat begrudgingly as I was still very stressed and just downright moody.

Let me tell you. That run was probably the greatest thing I’ve done all week.

Although the actual “running” part wasn’t so fun the feeling afterwards was fantastic. My iPod inspired me to run an extra lap as it shuffled through tunes such as James Brown’s “I Feel Good”, Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway”, and C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat” (yes, I do have this on there and every time I hear it I can’t help but think of this infamous rain dance. Skip to 4:15 for the good shit.)



Side Note: Was JTT not the cutest little effing kid in the world in the 90s?? I know I don’t stand alone when I say I had dreams of marrying him one day and may or may not have mailed him a perfume scented letter declaring my unconditional love and devotion (and virginity) should he choose to accept it.

No? No one else? I’m alone on that one? Ok. Too far.

But back to the real point of this post (is there ever really one?), the run and my personal soundtrack was just what I needed to readjust my mindset. I came home in a much better, rejuvenated mood and it resonated throughout the day.

I’ve realized that as much as the actual action of running sucks it does help to relieve stress and help cultivate a more positive mental outlook on the day. And life in general.

So as much as my lazy, food loving, beer aficionado-ish ass would love to forego the cardio it really is doing wonders for my constantly overwhelmed mental state. And anything that can do that is worth doing. And doing again.